BLACK EYE PEA "HOPPIN JOHN" SOUP FOR NEW YEARS

BLACK EYE PEA

Provided by Nancy J. Patrykus

Categories Soups

Time 12h50m

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 pkg 16 oz. black eye peas
3 c cooked rice
4-6 can(s) chicken broth ... regular size cans
2 large smoked ham hocks
1 can(s) spinach, drained and cut up. ..(green backs for good luck)
2 large carrot, sliced....................(gold coins for good luck)

Steps:

1. The night before... Put smoked ham hocks in the crock pot with 3 cups of water. Simmer over night.
2. The night before..... Rinse the black eye peas and put in a saucepan, covered with water. Bring to a boil. Cover and let sit for one hour.Drain,and rinse two tines. Put in a bowl covered with fresh cold water. Put in refrigerator over night.
3. Next morning: strain the pork hocks,and the liquid, into a bowl. Pick out, the pork hock meat,bones,and skin and put on a plate to cool. Now strain the liquid again, put the clear liquid back into the crock pot. and add the drained black eye peas. Cook on high.
4. When the hocks are cool enough , pick off all the meat. Throw all scraps away, and put the meat back into the crock pot. Cover. Cook the rice. Set aside.
5. Scrape and slice the carrots into coins,chop the onion, and put into the crock pot. Cook on high till the carrots are done.
6. When the carrots are done add the cooked rice, and the cut up canned spinach. Add more chicken broth if needed. Simmer til serving time.
7. Instead of canned spinach you can use fresh cut up collard greens,or fresh spinach. Serve with hot sauce, and home made corn bread, for a delicious meal. Or at half timefor your foot ball friends! Happy New Year ! ....12/17/11